A Promise from Hundreds of Years Ago
Several hundred years ago, in the human kingdoms, there was an era that lived on only in fairy tales, ending with the words "and they all lived happily ever after." When the Hero defeated the Demon King, an elf was there too. She was a direct descendant created by the World Tree itself, with a lifespan far longer than those born of mingled bloodlines.
"The Demon King is trying to burn the entire world."
Even now, closing her eyes brought that day back in vivid clarity.
"We're gathering our strength to defeat the Demon King, so we ask the forest keeper to lend us her power."
"...So you took down all my sentinels just to make that paltry request?"
He was rude. Reckless, too. And above all, strong. The current Hero might have greater talent, but this man possessed a strength beyond mere talent. He wasn't chosen as a Hero by destiny—he had become one to save the world himself.
"If the world burns, the World Tree's forest will burn too. Isn't this for both our sakes?"
"Sigh..."
It wasn't the warmest of meetings, but in the end, she joined the Hero as a companion. How could she leave a mad arsonist to torch her mother, the World Tree? As a forest keeper created by the World Tree herself, it was her duty to protect the woods.
"Human Hero. You alright?"
"Yeah. Feels like my lungs are a bit singed, but nothing major."
"You took a dragon's breath head-on?"
"Didn't really take it. Sliced most of it away."
"You're pushing too hard."
"Gotta get used to it if we're facing the Demon King. His flames will be hotter and smokier than this."
Apart from his rudeness, he was a good man. No one who threw themselves into the fire to save the world could be bad. She found herself liking him. He was truly hard to hate.
"Why did you become a Hero?"
"To kill the Demon King."
One night by the campfire, she'd asked that.
"I mean, why do you want to kill the Demon King?"
"Does stopping a lunatic who wants to burn the world need a reason?"
"Doesn't have to be you, though."
"True. Never really thought about it..."
The Hero pondered for a moment, then smiled faintly as he shoved more wood into the fire. Embers danced between them like fireflies.
"Turns out I owe the world a lot."
"Owe?"
"Yeah. My family who raised me, the villagers who were always kind, the soldiers who protected our home, the farmers who worked the fields, the knights who taught me the sword, the priests who blessed me... I'm alive today because of all of them."
"Sounds like you had a pretty cushy childhood."
"Yeah. Grew up with way more love than most."
He was the kind of person who could easily win that love. Human looks couldn't compare to an elf's, but he had a warmth and approachability beyond that. The affable type.
"As a kid, I thought being loved was just normal."
"Not anymore, huh?"
"Nope. I was just lucky. Thought my happy life came from my own hard work, but really, someone was always carrying my load for me. Keeping me from collapsing. Took me too long to realize how much invisible help I'd gotten."
The Hero smiled—a soft, gentle smile that made it impossible to imagine him marching to war.
"So I'm paying it back. Or paying it forward. All the happiness I enjoyed came from other people."
After that deep campfire talk, she grew close to the Hero. She still didn't like humans much, but they reached the point of trading jokes.
"Eat up. Traditional forest dish."
"Tastes like crap. How about a little meat?"
"Pity the human tongue can't appreciate nature's flavors."
They shared meals.
"What's that book?"
"Oh, magic stuff. More fun than I thought. Useful for lighting campfires. Not much help in fights, though."
"...Can't you just ask a spirit?"
"Not like I'll be traveling with you forest folk forever. Better learn a bit of everything."
"Fair point."
They talked hobbies.
"We'll reach the Demon King's territory soon."
"Hard to breathe through all the smoke."
"Demon King wields unquenchable flames. But we can beat him. Definitely."
"Yeah. You'll win."
"Not me. We win."
"...Right."
After their long journey, they finally stood before the Demon King. He was powerful. The Hero was strong beyond human limits, but the Demon King overwhelmed even him. Had the Hero been alone, or spared his own body, killing the Demon King would have been impossible. But in the end, the Hero triumphed.
"──Urk."
His body charred black by the Demon King's curse.
"...In the end, couldn't kill him."
The Hero had defeated the Demon King. But not killed him. Death would have ended the curse. Instead, the Demon King chose self-sealing. From the flames and ashes, he vowed revival to burn the world anew.
"Haha... Bit of a sloppy finish. Who knew the Demon King would run like that. Couldn't even kill him proper, left a mess for the next Heroes."
"You did more than enough."
Even in agony as his body burned, he worried for others. Truly a good man.
"You saved the world. Stopped the forest from burning. The woods will regard you as a friend forever. Even if you die and are reborn."
"The forest, sure. What about the forest keeper?"
"...I consider you a friend too."
"That's great. Heh..."
The forest's blessing etched into the Hero's soul. She didn't know how the human goddess handled departed souls, but if reborn, he'd be welcomed by the woods. Perhaps even as an elf. She prayed the mother World Tree would grant his soul peace.
"Forest keeper."
"Yes."
"Far in the future, if the Demon King revives and a new Hero appears, you'll still be around, right?"
"Probably. Not certain. No telling when he'll revive."
"Then... please help that Hero too. Promise me."
"..."
"If there's a next life for me, I'll come help too..."
The Hero died. And centuries passed.
"Need a capable porter by any chance?"
...The forest's blessing?
A human porter suddenly offering to help the Hero. The forest's blessing emanating from him. A strange suspicion flickered: the past Hero reincarnated, seeking the new one.
...No. Can't assume reincarnation. Not everyone with the forest's blessing is that Hero.
She dismissed the thought instantly. The Hero from her memories was incredibly strong. This porter was too weak to be him. If he remembered and came seeking, why be so frail?
"Elf lady."
"Call me Illina. Not 'elf,' human porter. Don't use my race."
"Got it. Illina."
The porter showed no recognition either. Just coincidence. He'd simply earned favor from another elf.
"Adapted traditional elf cuisine with local ingredients. No animal products, so eat freely."
"Impressive for human cooking."
Indeed, the porter knew elven culture well. He'd mingled with elves before.
"Illina, grilling meat today—cool with that?"
"Do what you want. No need to ask every time."
"Haha... Sure. Made you a veggie sandwich too. Pairs with the grilled veggies—enjoy together."
"..."
Plus, he was considerate. Unlike the rude, straightforward past Hero. Not that the Hero was bad, but he had that reckless, self-centered streak—like knocking out all the sentinels on first meeting.
...Overthinking it.
Definitely someone else. The Hero was dead; reincarnation wasn't granted. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't disappointed. But that's nature's way.
"...Porter."
Yes. It had to be.
"Ah, sorry. Showed you my sorry hide."
"That burn scar..."
So why did this porter bear traces of the Demon King's curse?
"Burn? Oh, had it since I was little..."
"..."
"Illina?"
Here's a pro tip for all you yuyeol newbies whining about failing to break long-lived species. It's cuz you don't get their traits. Key point: to effectively torment a long-lived species, stimulate their memories.
Long-lived ones have better memories than short-lifers. Memories weigh heavy in their emotions—they retain feelings piled up over ages. The emotions from accumulated memories over eons hit harder than what they feel right now.
Core is transferring those piled-up feelings onto you.